Extreme cold alert issued for Halton starting Sunday

Oakville Beaver

With only a brief reprieve from the recent bone-chilling winter temperatures, Halton residents should brace themselves for yet more cold weather starting Sunday evening.

In anticipation of such, Halton Region has declared an extreme cold weather alert — the fifth from the Region’s Health Department so far this year — in 2013, only three cold alerts were issued involving six days of such extreme weather.

The Region’s Health Department issues alerts when temperatures are expected to fall below -15 C without a wind chill, or when weather conditions are severe enough to warrant alerting the community to the risks of prolonged exposure.

Temperatures Sunday night have been forecast to dip from -14 C to -16 C.

The alert stays in effect until temperatures rise above -15 C without the wind chill or weather conditions improve.

Anyone can be affected by extreme cold-related weather conditions, depending on how long they are outside and the level of activity they are involved in.

Those especially at risk are adults over the age of 65, infants and young children, outdoor workers, hikers/skiers, the homeless, and those without proper shelter, clothing or food.

Cold-related injuries can be prevented by dressing appropriately and covering exposed skin. It is also recommended a survival kit be kept in your car at all times in preparation of winter driving conditions.